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I remember seeing SAAB 900S Turbos as police cruisers when I visited Aspen in the 1980s. Vail had them too. That ended when GM took over SAAB in the mid-2000s. I think they then switched to the Volvo XC SUVs. These days, I believe they drive Ford Explorers like the rest of us....

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Volvo squad car?

Watching some recent episodes of LivePD, I noticed Berkeley County (SC) Sheriff's Office was using Volvo sedans as squad cars. A quick bit of Googling showed Volvo's U.S. factory is located in Berkeley County. I've seen this in the past where auto manufacturers will offer vehicles to local LE for free...

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Helmet while driving?

I just watched a short Lexipol training video in which the presenter recommended donning your issued tactical helmet before driving to an emergency call. His point was that many traffic accidents involving officers result in head injuries, and the helmet could improve safety.

As for 30 years ago, I can only go by what I heard from older officers (many now retired) when I got into the profession. No doubt, much like today, the guidelines varied greatly by agency and area. But one of the common traits I noticed was that if someone was coming out of the military, it gave them...

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Plain clothes street units

I was watching one of the live-action police shows and noticed one department's officers were patrolling and enforcing wearing street clothes, with just a tactical vest thrown over them. I'm talking jeans, t-shirts, Hawaiin shirts, etc. -- it looked like the next officer in could have shown up in board...

I know from past experience our jail is going to require a medical clearance for anyone that says they're injured or sick.So I don't even try, if the arrestee mentions anything to me. Most of the time we can get by with a clearance in the...

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I can't speak specifically for VA, but I think you're going to have an uphill battle. Setting the bankruptcy aside (which will be its own separate issue), you've exhibited in your past 2 roles that you haven't been able to successfully effect change without negative repercussions. Most agencies have...

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My agency employs its own dispatchers, and we've had career movement in both directions.

Personally, I feel working as a dispatcher is great experience for a future LE career -- if you're successful, it shows you can operate well under pressure, can effectively multi-task, and be decisive...

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Anyone else starting to worry about layoffs?

I've been with my department for around 3 years, and am really happy with where I am. The agency falls under the umbrella of state government, but in reality we're more like a municipal department than anything else. Vague, I know, but that's as specific as I'd like to get.